What is "ashtapadi"

Ashtapadis or Ashtapadi are Indian hymns where the music has eight lines (steps) within each composition. Each ashtapadi song is set in a special raga (an Indian musical mode) and tala. It is a rhyme of eternal love and supreme devotion. The literal meaning of "ashtapadi" is "eight steps." This word is also the source for the word ashtāpada, an Indian board game, the forerunner of chess.

Ashtapadi is a 1983 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Ambili. The film stars Menaka, Devan, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi in lead roles. The film had musical score by Vidyadharan.